by Ryan, Kaylee
“You really think you could do that? Spend a week just lying in bed.”
“Ah, but you missed a key point. Two of them in fact.”
“What’s that?”
“I said naked with you.”
I laugh. “So, do you think you and I could be naked in bed for a week?”
“Yes.” No hesitation in his answer.
“Really? You wouldn’t get bored?”
“Not if I’m with you.”
“Aw, you’re such a sweet talker tonight.” Come to think of it, he’s acting kind of strange. I turn to look at him. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just dreading leaving you. It gets harder with every trip.”
“You sure that’s all it is?”
He nods. “Some stuff I need to talk to Coach about, about my contract, but nothing to be worried about. Just a lot on my mind.”
“What time does your flight leave tomorrow?”
“Nine. So I’ll be up and gone before you leave for work.”
“Why so soon?”
“Not sure. The time we fly out always varies. It just depends on the chartered plane and the pilot’s schedules.”
“Makes sense I guess. I couldn’t imagine having to coordinate all those schedules.”
“What are you going to do while I’m gone?”
“Work. I need to do some laundry, so I’ll go to my place for a while. Depending on what’s going on with Buckwheat….” My voice trails off. I can’t imagine having to put him down. I pray that this medication does what it’s supposed to do.
His hands move to cup my breasts. “You going to miss me?” he asks huskily.
“Always.”
Tilting my head back against his chest, I close my eyes and enjoy his hands roaming my body. When his touch moves south, and his fingers slide through my folds, my back arches, causing me to push my ass into his hard cock.
“I need you, Emma.”
His words are full of grit and raw need. It’s a side of him I’ve never seen before. He almost sounds desperate to have me.
“I’m yours. Take what you need.”
“Stand up,” he growls.
I do as I’m told and stand. He steps out, and holds his hand out for me. I take it, letting him help me out of the tub. I expect him to hand me a towel, but instead, we both stand, dripping water all over the floor, our chests heaving with the desire surging between us.
He takes one step then another until he’s next to me. Reaching over, he pulls open the vanity drawer and grabs a condom. Within seconds, he’s sheathed his hard length.
“Em,” he says, moving to stand in front of me.
“Take me, Landon.” That’s all I needed to say for his control to break.
“Arms around my neck.” he says, his voice gravelly. Doing as I’m told, I lock my hands behind his neck and with his hands on my hips, he lifts me. I wrap my legs around him and hold on tight. “Tell me to stop if I go too fast. If I hurt you, tell me to stop.”
“Delay of game.” I smirk and he chuckles, a sound that rattles from deep inside his chest.
“I’m going long and deep,” he says as he pushes inside me. He stills, giving me time to adjust to him. He kisses me; it’s soft and sweet. Nothing like the fire that’s staring back at me in his blue eyes, or his warnings that if it’s too much he’ll stop. When he breaks the kiss, he slowly pulls out and thrusts back in. Only this time, he doesn’t stop. Over and over and over again, his feet planted on the floor, he thrusts into me. All I can do is hold on for the ride as my body takes him deeper than ever before.
My head tilts back as an orgasm tears through me. My body shakes, my legs squeezing him tight, and my nails dig into his scalp. “Landon!” I cry out his name as the spark he’s ignited in my core spreads throughout my entire body.
“Fuck, you’re squeezing me,” he says with a grunt, and he stills with a roar as he releases inside me.
I wrap my arms around him, burying my face in his neck. It’s as if I’ve had an out-of-body experience. My body is still spasming around him. I’ve never felt anything as intense as that.
Never.
“You okay, baby?” he whispers.
“I think you killed me. In the best way,” I add, because I know he’s going to worry he hurt me. “I’m not sure what that was, but we can do more of that, soon. ’Kay?” I ask, tapping his shoulder.
He throws his head back and laughs, causing me to lift mine. His number thirteen blues as Aubrey would call them are bright and whatever was plaguing him is gone. At least for now.
“Now I need a shower.”
“Me too.” Without putting me down, he moves to the walk-in shower and turns on the water. “You’re beautiful like this,” he says, staring into my eyes. “I love that I’m the only one who gets to see you this way. Sweaty and sated, eyes glassed over from my cock.”
“Modest much?” I tease.
“Bringing you pleasure makes me feel ten feet tall.”
“You’re on a roll tonight with all the sweetness.”
“Just making sure you know what you mean to me. Leaving you messes with my head,” he admits. “I hate not being here with you, and I don’t ever want you to question how far my love runs. It’s deep, Em. Deep in my soul, and it’s all for you.”
“I love you too.” I kiss his cheek and he moves us into the shower and under the hot spray. He carefully sets me on my feet and disappears to get rid of the condom. He’s back in no time, taking the shampoo out of my hands and washing my hair for me. His hands roam my body and mine his as we wash away the day, and our lovemaking. That’s what it was. No matter how hard or fast, no matter how soft or slow, it’s nothing but love between us. I can feel it. Just like he said, it’s soul-deep as if he’s a part of me. I don’t ever see that changing.
After our shower, we climb into bed. Cuddled close to his chest, I drift off into a peaceful sleep.
* * *
The next morning, I wake to an empty bed. There’s a note with nothing but I love you, L written on it, next to me on his pillow where his head should be. I miss him already and wish he would have woken me up to tell me he was leaving. Climbing out of bed, I make my way to the bathroom. My hair looks like I was ridden hard and put up wet, and in a way, I was. I giggle to myself just as my phone rings. I run back into the bedroom to answer it, hoping it’s Landon and I’m in luck.
“Hey, I miss you already,” I greet him.
“Damn, Em, that’s one hell of a greeting. I miss you too, baby. We’re getting ready for wheels up. I just wanted to tell you to have a good day.”
“You should have woken me up.”
“Nah, you looked like an angel sleeping in my bed. I didn’t have the heart to wake you. I don’t know when I’ll be able to touch base again. I’ll text you when we land. Keep me posted on Buckwheat.”
“Will do. Safe flight.”
“Love you,” he replies and ends the call.
I finish getting ready, pop a bagel in the toaster, and pull out the container of spaghetti that Landon made for my lunch today. Fifteen minutes later, I’m in my car and headed to work.
“Morning,” Aubrey greets me when I arrive at the shelter.
“Buckwheat?” I ask. “I see the vet’s truck outside.”
“Yeah, he’s with him now,” she says, taking a huge gulp of coffee.
“Rough night?”
“Something like that.” She smirks. “I hate when they’re out of town, and CJ was already asking for Daddy first thing this morning. Maybe we would be okay with just the sales off his ass trinkets?” she muses.
I just smile and shake my head. “I hear ya. Although I don’t have a little boy missing his daddy.”
“Not yet.”
I smile. “Maybe one day. Things are going great with us.”
“That’s easy to see. That man is crazy about you, Emma.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“You watching the game on Sunday?” she asks.
“Yep.
You?”
“We are. Why don’t you come to the house and watch it with me and CJ? He’d love to see you.”
“Sure. What are we eating? Snack foods? Want me to pick up some pizza and wings?”
“Pizza and wings. That way neither of us has to cook. Well, I’ll make some cookies or something. Here.” She reaches for her purse. “Let me give you some money before I forget.”
“Nope. It’s on me. Cheese still for CJ?”
“You know it. One day the kid will eat more than just cheese on his pizza.”
“Got it covered.”
“Hello,” a deep voice calls out. Aubrey and I both head to the reception area to greet the vet. “He’s responding to the medication, but he’s not out of the woods yet. I gave him another dose and I’ll stop by tomorrow to give him another. Will either of you be here?”
“I will be,” I tell him.
“Great. I’ll stop in before I leave tomorrow to give you an update.”
“Thanks, George,” Aubrey and I say at the same time.
“Oh, and thanks for the heads-up about next week. Pixy could use a checkup.” Aubrey gives him a wide grin.
He just shakes his head and smiles. “You got it, boss. You ladies have a great evening.”
George is in his early sixties and he’s still in disbelief that Aubrey and Chance have a pet goat. It’s not the goat that surprises him. It’s that they let the goat live in their house and even take it for walks on a leash.
“He still thinks you’re crazy.”
“I know. I love it. Sure, Pixy is not a conventional pet, but the way we met and fell in love isn’t either.”
“Your life is what you make it. Besides, CJ loves Pixy. Now, where are we at for the day?”
“Just cleaning cages and feeding. Thanks to the adoption fair, we’re still not at capacity so it shouldn’t take us long.” So many of our animals found their forever homes. “I thought we could tag-team it instead of splitting up today.”
“Yes! It’s been way too long since we’ve done that.” Just as I say the words, the chime sounds on the door. Looking up, my mouth drops open. “Mom? What are you doing here?” I rush around the counter to give her a hug.
“We wanted to surprise you.”
I turn to look at Aubrey. “You little sneak.”
She holds her hands up in the air. “I’d love to take credit for this, but it wasn’t me. I didn’t know anything about it.”
“Landon,” Mom says.
“Really?” I ask, and my voice cracks.
“He called me the other day and said and I quote ‘we need to get you to Hermosa Beach more often.’ I agreed and here I am.”
“I can’t believe he did this.” I hug her again.
“He said we’re staying at his place?” she asks, raising her brow and giving me a look that only a mother can pull off.
My face heats. “Yeah, he likes to know I’m there while he’s away.”
“That man is whipped,” Aubrey chimes in with a laugh.
“Oh, I could tell with how adamant he was that I come and visit,” Mom agrees. “So,” she changes the subject, “what are the plans this weekend?”
“Well, I work all weekend here, and I was going to go over to Aubrey’s and watch the game on Sunday.”
“Tomorrow, you’re only here until noon,” Aubrey corrects.
“Perfect. I’d love to tag along and see what it is my little girl does every day. Most of the time when I visit, you’ve taken time off. Is that okay?” She turns to look at Aubrey. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not.”
“Well, ladies. We’ve got work to do. I’ll put your bags in the office.” The rest of the day, Mom helps out, and with the third set of hands, the work is done even faster. By the time lunch rolls around, we’re finished.
“You two go on home. Spend some time together.”
“We’re fine to stay,” Mom tells her.
“No. I insist. You’ll be back here tomorrow. I would volunteer, but I’ll have CJ, and it’s hard to get anything done when I’m here by myself with him.”
“No worries, it’s fine,” I assure her.
“Go, catch up.”
“Call if you need me. I can come back.”
“It will be fine. Now go.” With a round of hugs, Mom and I grab her luggage and head out the door. I haven’t heard from Landon, and I thought I would have by now. I send him a text thanking him for bringing Mom here. It will be there for him when he lands. As Mom and I drive to his place, my heart is full. Overflowing with love for my number eighteen.
Chapter 24
Landon
The entire flight I had my headphones on and pretended to sleep. I’m exhausted, yet sleep never came. I keep thinking about Bridgett and her threats, and I get even more pissed off. Case is right that I should talk to Coach Neil, and I’ve already texted him telling him that as soon as he has a free minute, I need to speak to him. I just hope it’s as soon as we land. This shit is festering inside me and I’m about to blow. No way can I focus on the game when all I have is anger inside of me for what she thinks she can do. That’s the worst part. I don’t really know if she has that kind of pull. If she does, and Emma can’t go with me, I guess I’m retiring early. Just the thought has me clenching my fists. Why does she get to dictate when I’m done playing? Fuck me, then there’s Emma, and my conversation with Case. I won’t let her push me away. I need to tell her about this, told her I would always be honest, but damn, she had such a bad day and I didn’t want to pile this unnecessary drama on top of it all.
What a fucking mess.
I take a seat in the front of one of the shuttle busses that take us from the airport to the hotel. I don’t feel like being social. Case plops down in the seat beside me, making me groan. “You talk to him?” he says, keeping his voice low.
“No. But he knows I want to talk the first chance he gets.”
Just then, Coach Neil climbs on the bus and takes the seat across from us. “When we get to the hotel and get everyone their keys, we’ll talk,” he says softly. I nod and sit back in my seat.
“You want me to go with you?”
“Nah, thanks though.” Case and I played in college together, and have been thick as thieves ever since. I know he’s always got my back, but with this, I have a feeling the fewer people involved, the better it will be. Sure, he knows, but I don’t want him heavily involved and have his contract compromised as well. I don’t want Bridgett to take him down with me, if that’s how this plays out.
Forty-five minutes later, I’m pacing the floor in Coach Neil’s hotel suite. I’ve just told him everything and he’s just sitting on the couch watching me. “Say something,” I say, running my hands through my hair.
“It’s bullshit. Joseph doesn’t let her have anything to do with the team. I can almost guarantee that he knows nothing about this.”
“Why in the fuck is she after me? And Emma? You’ve met her. She’s the kindest, sweetest person out there. I don’t fucking get it.”
“Landon, your contract is solid. You have a no trade clause.”
“I know that, but damn it, they have the Trojans legal team behind them. Who knows what kind of fucking contract violation she’ll try to pin on me.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket and taps the screen placing it to his ear. “What are you doing?” I ask, and he raises his index finger, indicating I need to give him a minute.
“Hey, Stamper.” He greets Mr. Stamper by his last name. “Coach Neil, when you get here, I’d like a word with you. In private. Call me.” He hangs up the phone. “He’ll call,” he assures me. “Joseph’s a good man.”
“I thought so too, I still do, but his wife is the Wicked fucking Witch of the West. What does he see in her?”
“I’m not sure, but they’re total opposites. We’ll get to the bottom of this, Landon. I assure you.”
I nod. “Okay. I guess all we can do is wait. I’m going back to my room. She said by Sunday, so the clock is ti
cking. I’m not worried about me. It’s the threat that she’ll make Emma hate me. I couldn’t live with that. I can handle giving up the game, but I won’t give her up.”
He nods. “I’ll take care of it.”
I don’t have much choice other than to believe him. “Thank you.” I leave without another word and slip into my shared room with Trent. He’s on the phone with Luna, and it's then that I remember I didn’t let Emma know we landed. Pulling out my phone, I see a message I missed from her. I’ve been so wrapped up in my anger I didn’t even notice.
Emma: I love you, Lucky. Thank you so much for bringing my mom here. I can’t tell you what that means to me. You’re incredible.
My heart expands reading her words. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do to make her happy. Nothing. I start to text her back and decide I need to hear her voice. Dialing the phone, she picks up on the first ring.
“Landon.” She sounds happy and for the first time today, I feel some of the anger slip away.
“Hey, freckles. Good surprise?”
“You knew it would be. I can’t believe you did this.”
“I told you we need to get her in the habit of visiting more often. Maybe we can even get her to love it and move closer.”
“I wish. How was your flight?”
“Uneventful.”
She chuckles. “Well, that’s always good I guess. You sound tired.”
“Yeah, I didn’t sleep much last night. I never do when I have to leave you.”
“There you go again,” she says softly. “Saying all those sweet words that make me melt.”
“I mean them, Em. Every single one of them. You’re the love of my life.” I feel like I’m laying it on a little thick right now, but damn it, I want her to understand. She needs to understand this is real for me. I should tell her. The words are on the tip of my tongue. I need to tell her, but not like this. Not over the phone, and not until we talk to Stamper. When I get home Monday, I’ll tell her everything while she’s in my arms where she can’t run or push me away. Fucking Case, I hope he’s wrong.
“Is that Landon?” I hear Caroline ask. “Tell him I said hello.”